Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed a former state lawmaker to his panel on ethics and lobbying. Trouble was, the lawmaker had recently worked as a lobbyist.
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno resigns
The longtime lawmaker from Lemont, Illinois, will step down in the wake of the Senate’s failed “grand bargain.”
Day 5: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after only 17 minutes
Five days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $250,000 for less than 90 minutes of work.
Day 4: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after only 16 minutes
Four days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $200,000 for less than 80 minutes of work.
Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances
A bill that would apply term limits to legislative leaders in the Illinois House and Senate cleared a major hurdle May 19, and is scheduled for a second reading May 22.
Illinois comptroller issues self, lawmakers paychecks despite appeal of circuit court’s ruling
Rank-and-file lawmakers have received paychecks of more than $50,800.
The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan
The Taxpayer Bargain finally shifts the budget conversation in favor of taxpayers over politicians, with a plan that balances the state budget without tax hikes.
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
Illinois state government works to prioritize special interests over taxpayers – and the budget deal being negotiated in the Senate would continue that.
Illinois Senate’s spending “cap” doesn’t protect taxpayers, core services
The Senate’s “grand bargain” contains a one-year spending “cap” that won’t improve fiscal responsibility. A real cap must come with structural spending reforms to return spending to a level that taxpayers can afford.
Rauner memo: Use TIF funds to save Chicago Public Schools
Gov. Bruce Rauner has suggested funding CPS with tax increment financing, or TIF, funds; this would temporarily bail out the district, but more needs to be done to address serious concerns about Chicago’s TIF program.